- Now Booking - Jun intake open
- Bundall, Gold Coast · QLD
Helping families reach practical and lasting agreements — about parenting, property, and the future — without going to court.
“A 15-minute call is often enough to know if mediation is the right path forward.”
Family Dispute Resolution is a specialised mediation process designed to help families resolve disagreements outside of the court system.
During the process, an impartial Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner facilitates discussions between parties — helping them identify issues, explore options, and work towards mutually acceptable outcomes. The conversation is structured, paced to the parties, and held in confidence.
Family disputes can be emotionally challenging, particularly when decisions need to be made about children, parenting arrangements, property settlements, and future responsibilities. FDR provides a structured and supportive environment to work through those issues with the assistance of an independent, accredited practitioner.
Many families prefer Family Dispute Resolution because it offers a more flexible, confidential, and cost-effective alternative to court proceedings. By working together to reach an agreement, families often achieve outcomes that are more sustainable and tailored to their individual circumstances.
Our role is to assist parents in discussing the practical, day-to-day matters that shape a child’s experience after separation — keeping the focus on the best interests of the children while supporting parents in developing workable agreements.
Where children live, day-to-day routines, and how time is shared between parents.
Choice of school, attendance at events, ongoing educational decisions.
School holidays, birthdays, religious and cultural events.
How parents communicate about the children, and how children communicate with each parent.
Medical, psychological, and developmental considerations.
Joint decision-making frameworks for major long-term issues.
Family Dispute Resolution can also assist separating couples to discuss property and financial arrangements. Resolving these matters through mediation typically offers a more efficient and cost-effective pathway compared to formal court proceedings.
These specialised approaches help parents better understand their children’s needs and assist in developing genuinely child-focused outcomes. They are not appropriate for every family or every matter — we discuss with you whether this approach is right for your circumstances during intake.
Most matters move from first call to a documented agreement in four to eight weeks. The process is deliberate, paced to the parties, and never rushed.
Where children live, day-to-day routines, and how time is shared between parents.
Separate, confidential meetings are conducted with each participant to understand the issues and assess suitability.
Parties meet with the practitioner to discuss concerns, explore options, and work towards a workable agreement.
Where agreements are reached, they are documented and may form the basis for formal legal arrangements where required.
We understand that family disputes are deeply personal and emotionally complex. Our aim is to help families reach practical solutions while maintaining dignity, respect, and a clear focus on future outcomes.
Tertiary-qualified, accredited practitioners. Neutral, structured facilitation grounded in family law and psychology.
A respectful, calm setting — designed to lower temperature so the work of the mediation can actually happen.
Where appropriate, child-inclusive approaches help parents see arrangements through their children’s eyes.
In-person on the Gold Coast, secure video Australia-wide, or shuttle mediation where parties are not in the same room.
Over a decade across the Children’s Court, Federal Circuit & Family Court, and DFV jurisdictions.
The goal is a durable agreement and a workable next chapter — not winning the conversation in the room.
Short answers to the questions we hear most often. For anything not covered here, a 15-minute call is the fastest way to a real answer.
In many parenting matters, parties are generally required to attempt Family Dispute Resolution before commencing court proceedings, unless specific exemptions apply (for example, where there are urgent safety concerns).
Most matters move from first call to a documented outcome in four to eight weeks. Timeframes vary depending on the complexity of the issues and the willingness of participants to engage in the process.
Yes. The process is generally confidential under the Family Law Act, subject to certain legal exceptions — for example, disclosures relating to child safety.
Depending on the circumstances and the mediation format chosen, legal representatives may be able to participate. We discuss the appropriate format with you during intake.
If agreement isn’t reached on all issues, partial agreements can still be documented, and a Section 60I certificate can be issued where required for court proceedings.
If you are seeking Family Dispute Resolution on the Gold Coast, GC Mediation Group is here to help. Confidential, no-obligation consultation with a registered practitioner.
